This week I am sharing two recipes from Everyday Italian by Giada De Laurentiis. This is a very easy to use and understand cookbook. You can learn a number of basic Italian staples and how to put them together quickly and easily. Granted, it is kind of weird that there are more photos of Giada in the book than there are photos of food, but no one asked me about the layout I suppose. Anyways, I recently dove into this book and the first thing I made was this absolutely delicious recipe for White Bean Dip with Pita Chips. In the cookbook, even Giada admits that pita chips aren’t particularly Italian, but they work really well with the dip. She describes it as an Italian version of hummus, which I can see, but I like this way better than I like hummus. The dip is smooth and creamy, not to mention super easy to put together. In fact, this is a good recipe to have up your sleeve in case of last minute company. It is likely that you might have everything you need to make this dip in your pantry and in your garden.
I was also drawn to this recipe because of the pita chips. I remember when I was a kid my mom went through a phase where she made pita chips like this for my brother and I all the time to snack on. Instead of the oregano and salt and pepper for flavoring, I think she usually used a creole seasoning, or seasoning salt. They were delicious.
This is a great snack for a dinner party, drinks with friends, or to feed to hungry children after school. It takes very little time and energy, but tastes bright and fresh. The chips are crispy and if you use whole wheat pita, they’re pretty good for you too. In fact, the dip would be great with some fresh carrots and celery as well.
White Bean Dip with Pita Chips
From Everyday Italian by Giada De Laurentiis
- 4 pita breads, split in half horizontally and cut into wedges
- 2 TB plus 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 1 1/4 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup loosely packed parsley leaves
- 2 TB fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)
- 1 garlic clove
Preheat oven to 400.
Cup each pita half into 8 wedges. Arrange wedges on a large baking sheet, rough side up. Brush the wedges with the 2 TB olive oil, then sprinkle with oregano and 1 tsp each of the salt and pepper. Bake for 8 minutes, then turn the wedges over and bake until they are crisp and golden, about 8 minutes more. (Mine only took about 5 minutes more.)
Meanwhile, in a blender or bowl of a food processor, combine the beans, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, and the remaining salt and pepper. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped. With the machine running, gradually mix in the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil until the mixture is creamy. Season the puree with more salt and pepper to taste if needed. Transfer the puree to a serving bowl and serve with the pita toasts. The toasts can be warm or room temperature.
The dip and chips can be made ahead of time. Store the chips in an airtight container at room temperature.
Photographs by Jessica Yager
February 24, 2015 at 9:02 pm
I needed to compose you one tiny note in order to give thanks the moment again relating to the lovely thoughts you’ve discussed here. This is seriously generous of you to offer unreservedly all many people might have supplied for an electronic book in making some profit for their own end, mostly given that you might have tried it in the event you desired. These solutions likewise served to be a fantastic way to understand that some people have similar passion much like my very own to see a good deal more pertaining to this condition. I am certain there are millions of more pleasant times ahead for folks who scan your blog post.
February 24, 2015 at 9:14 pm
You could definitely see your expertise within the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
February 24, 2015 at 10:04 pm
Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is simply nice and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.
February 24, 2015 at 10:17 pm
Wow! This could be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Wonderful. I’m also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.
February 24, 2015 at 10:18 pm
whoah this blog is wonderful i really like reading your posts. Stay up the good work! You realize, many people are hunting around for this information, you could help them greatly.
February 25, 2015 at 1:44 am
I do trust all of the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too quick for starters. May you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
February 25, 2015 at 1:50 am
I precisely had to thank you very much yet again. I do not know the things that I would have followed in the absence of the actual advice provided by you over such a concern. It truly was the hard crisis in my circumstances, however , finding out a well-written way you treated it took me to jump for gladness. I’m grateful for your work and as well , hope that you really know what a powerful job that you are accomplishing teaching people all through your webpage. Most likely you’ve never encountered all of us.
February 25, 2015 at 2:17 am
Hey very nice website!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also¡KI’m glad to find a lot of useful info right here in the submit, we need work out extra techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
February 25, 2015 at 2:34 am
Hello my family member! I wish to say that this article is awesome, great written and include approximately all vital infos. I would like to look more posts like this .
February 25, 2015 at 3:27 am
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely magnificent. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a great site.
February 25, 2015 at 4:01 am
Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
February 25, 2015 at 4:16 am
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
February 25, 2015 at 8:19 am
Whats Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & assist other users like its helped me. Good job.
February 25, 2015 at 8:22 am
Hello. fantastic job. I did not imagine this. This is a remarkable story. Thanks!
February 25, 2015 at 8:33 am
Hello.This article was extremely motivating, especially since I was investigating for thoughts on this topic last Wednesday.
February 25, 2015 at 9:16 am
hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again very soon..
February 25, 2015 at 9:24 am
Needed to compose you this very small observation to be able to thank you so much over again relating to the lovely thoughts you’ve discussed at this time. It is really surprisingly generous of people like you in giving unreservedly just what many people could possibly have made available as an ebook to earn some bucks for themselves, especially now that you might have done it if you ever considered necessary. The concepts in addition acted to be the good way to be aware that other people have similar fervor like my very own to grasp great deal more with regards to this condition. Certainly there are several more pleasant occasions ahead for many who read your blog post.
February 25, 2015 at 9:31 am
Thanks for every other wonderful article. The place else may just anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect approach of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the search for such info.
February 25, 2015 at 9:35 am
I precisely desired to thank you so much all over again. I am not sure the things I might have tried without the actual tips and hints contributed by you directly on such question. It previously was the frustrating problem in my opinion, however , considering a new specialized style you solved it made me to jump for delight. Now i am grateful for the advice and as well , sincerely hope you really know what a great job you are providing instructing the others through the use of a blog. Most likely you have never got to know any of us.
February 25, 2015 at 9:36 am
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.
February 25, 2015 at 9:37 am
I have recently started a website, the information you offer on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
February 25, 2015 at 9:50 am
There is visibly a bunch to identify about this. I believe you made some good points in features also.
February 25, 2015 at 9:57 am
Wow! Thank you! I permanently needed to write on my blog something like that. Can I implement a part of your post to my blog?
February 25, 2015 at 10:03 am
Great blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
February 25, 2015 at 12:21 pm
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I am quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
February 25, 2015 at 12:46 pm
I was just searching for this info for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Generally the top web sites are full of garbage.
February 25, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Thank you for another excellent article. The place else may just anyone get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the look for such info.
February 25, 2015 at 2:04 pm
Wow, amazing weblog format! How lengthy have you been blogging for? you made blogging glance easy. The full glance of your web site is fantastic, as neatly as the content material!
February 25, 2015 at 2:07 pm
I have been reading out a few of your posts and i must say pretty nice stuff. I will surely bookmark your blog.
February 25, 2015 at 2:13 pm
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
February 25, 2015 at 2:59 pm
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website thus i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
February 25, 2015 at 3:13 pm
You are a very capable individual!
February 25, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Great article and right to the point. I am not sure if this is truly the best place to ask but do you guys have any thoughts on where to get some professional writers? Thank you 🙂
February 25, 2015 at 4:15 pm
Great paintings! That is the type of information that are meant to be shared across the web. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my site . Thanks =)
February 25, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too fantastic. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific website.
February 25, 2015 at 4:54 pm
obviously like your website however you need to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth however I will surely come again again.
February 25, 2015 at 6:01 pm
Great ¡V I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..
February 25, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Thanks for some other informative website. The place else may just I am getting that type of info written in such a perfect manner? I’ve a venture that I am simply now operating on, and I’ve been at the look out for such information.
February 25, 2015 at 7:32 pm
I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
February 25, 2015 at 8:14 pm
You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. All the time go after your heart.
February 25, 2015 at 8:19 pm
Valuable info. Fortunate me I discovered your website unintentionally, and I am stunned why this coincidence did not came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
February 25, 2015 at 8:39 pm
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
February 25, 2015 at 8:55 pm
Excellent site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks in your sweat!
February 25, 2015 at 9:02 pm
Hello my family member! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and come with almost all important infos. I¡¦d like to peer more posts like this .
February 25, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
February 25, 2015 at 9:34 pm
I think other website proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and wonderful user friendly style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
February 26, 2015 at 12:36 am
You can definitely see your skills in the work you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time go after your heart.
February 26, 2015 at 1:29 am
Hi there, I found your site via Google while searching for a related matter, your site came up, it appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
February 26, 2015 at 3:22 am
Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too fantastic. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous site.
February 26, 2015 at 3:25 am
I simply could not leave your website before suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual information an individual provide on your visitors? Is gonna be again ceaselessly to inspect new posts